Last of the Gods: Book 3 of the Ethasar Chronicles by Brad Towers

Author:Brad Towers [Towers, Brad]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-18T00:00:00+00:00

The End is Near

Heavy rain pelted Queen Elena’s tent, a mile from Hearthstone’s walls. Once again, she had opted for a serf’s tent, indistinguishable from the others, so that she wouldn’t become the target of another arrow attack. As usual, she was pacing, while Krasimir watched her silently.

Such horrible weather. The Islanders’ cannons had gone silent hours earlier, as King Anders had decided to keep his gunpowder dry. Elena could find no fault with his decision. Yet that meant a delay in breaching the capital’s walls.

She couldn’t afford too many delays, not when each day aged her another five hundred.

Thunder rolled and lightning split the sky. A moment later, a shadow swooped above the tent.

Serya Krov. Elena turned toward the tent’s entrance.

The vampire god strode into the tent. He’d shrunk to match her size. “I need to speak with Queen Elena alone, Krasimir,” he said.

“As you wish, Divine One.” Krasimir walked out of the tent, leaving them alone.

Elena bowed her head. “Thank you for coming, Divine One.”

“I didn’t come to advise you,” he said. “The Godly Pact forbids it. But perhaps I can give you comfort.” He watched her for a moment, as if studying the new wrinkles that marred her face. “How are you feeling, my daughter?”

“Old.” She sighed. “The noble blood helps.” She’d taken to drinking from two dozen nobles every day, a little at a time. “Yet I fear my time is running out. I must destroy the Lady’s champions soon, or I will perish of old age before my vengeance is complete.”

“What do you know of the champions?” Serya Krov asked, his comforting tone gone.

“They’re all here.” Her nobles had captured half a dozen Verdant soldiers in a daring night attack. Upon torture, they had all confirmed that the Lady’s champions were in the capital.

“Good. What of your nobles?”

“I’ve brought them to heel again. You know I took Baron Matvey’s wings, yes?”

Serya Krov nodded his approval. “You did well. He was always a troublemaker. I should have warned you about him sooner.”

“He took his own life yesterday.” It hadn’t surprised Elena. For a vampire in his prime, a life without wings was worse than death.

“And the others?”

“They took my action as a show of strength. They see the signs of my aging, and they know I need more blood than before, yet I haven’t heard of any other acts of disobedience.”

“You reminded them that you are the same Queen Elena who has ruled over them for five hundred years. A queen they respect and follow, as did the past generations of their bloodlines. Once you vanquish the Lady, they’ll all revere you for as long as you live.”

“Which may not be long enough. Even with the Lady gone, that still leaves Aljin, Malleon, and Njord. I may die before the war is over.”

Serya Krov placed a wingtip on her shoulder. “Do not despair, my daughter. Fight the battle that’s in front of you, and win it. Place your trust in me and know that I have a good plan for what comes next.

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